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The International Olympic Committee voted 63-27 to give golf Olympic status, opening the door for players like Tiger Woods to compete for their country in something other than the Ryder Cup. Rugby was also voted in.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said: "Congratulations to both federations. We all look forward to great competition in 2016 and 2020."
Peter Dawson, acting president of the International Golf Federation, had to go on the defensive after American IOC member Anita DeFrantz questioned why golf clubs such as Augusta were allowed to be male only.

Dawson said: "We are aware that golf has a reputation for this but it is important to give the facts - we have 60 million golfers in the world of whom 25% are women. Single sex clubs for men or indeed for women make up 0.5% and is reducing, and inclusion in the Olympic Games will further consolidate the equality of the sport."

Pro players Padraig Harrington and Michelle Wie both stressed that, given the opportunity, they would stay in the athletes' Village during the Games.

Harrington said: "I can see nothing better than being in the Olympic Village, living there and experiencing what the athletes go through. That's the highest point of the Olympics apart from the competition."